Moldavite — one of a kind
I carved this ring directly from wax around the shape of this particular moldavite — the stone dictates the form, not me. The surface is hand-hammered around the circumference; the metal carries the marks of the work. Once this ring sells, there won't be another like it. For a version in gold, I'd need a new moldavite — and no two are ever the same.
Sterling silver 925/1000, raw moldavite
How it came to be
Choosing the stone
Moldavite arrives as a raw piece of tektite — natural glass born from a meteorite impact 15 million years ago. Each one has a different shape, veining, and colour.
Wax model
I carve the wax model freely, directly around the shape of the stone. No prefabricated form — the wax adapts to the moldavite, not the other way around.
Casting and finishing
I cast the wax model using the lost-wax technique, with centrifugal force, into silver. Then comes the most laborious part — cutting off the sprue, filing down excess material, working through the metal from coarse to finest abrasive, fitting the bezel for the stone (moldavite cannot be cast in metal, it is too brittle) and polishing. This is the dirtiest part of goldsmithing, but also the one that decides whether the piece looks merely cast, or truly made.
Setting
A stone is set differently in every piece — flush, in prongs, in grooves, or in a bezel. For this ring I pressed the silver directly into the pores and natural cracks of the moldavite. The stone holds itself in place — no prongs, no soldering. This only works with stones that have an irregular surface, like this one.
Gallery
Click to enlarge. Use the arrows or swipe to navigate.
You might also like
White gold wedding bands
A pair of wedding bands in white gold, matte satin finish, three small diamonds. From sketch and silver sample to the finished pair in two weeks.
Pink sapphire in a halo setting
A pink sapphire surrounded by twenty brilliants in a classic halo setting. Tradition in a modern hand — a classic choice for an engagement, or for yourself.